REPORT OF THE HISTORICAL COMMITTEE GEORGE W. DUNCAN, Chairman
ELEVENTH ANNUAL REUNION CONVENTION
United Sons of Confederate Veterans
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
APRIL 25-27, 1906
NASHVILLE, TENN.:
BRANDON PRINTING COMPANY
1907
Report of Historical Committee.
By Division Commander George W. Duncan.
Introduction.
The Historical Committee has the honor to submit here- with a report of its work and activities for the Confederation year ending with this date, April 25, 1906. The personnel of the committee, as constituted in General Orders, No. 2, 1905, is as follows:
George W. Duncan, Chairman, Auburn, Ala. George Petrie, Ph. D., Auburn, Ala. Lee Meriwether, St. Louis, Mo. W. M. Kavanaugh, Little Rock, Ark. D. H. Hill, Raleigh, N. C. T. R. Raines, Washington, D. C. E. T. Bynum, Norman, Okla.
T. T. Stockton, Jacksonville, Fla. P. H. Mell, Ph. D., Clemson Col-
Wm. F. Jones, Elberton, Ga. lege, S. C.
Rev. J. M. Gross, Ardmore, I. T. John H. DeWitt, Nashville, Tenn.
Ed Porter Thompson, Jr., Frank- Homer D. Wade, Waco, Tex.
fort, Ky. R. S. Blackburn Smith, Berryville,
W. H. McLellan, New Orleans, La. Va.
J. Pierce Bruns, Baltimore, Md. E. Fontaine Broun, Charleston, Dunbar Rowland, Jackson. Miss. W. Va.
R. E. Lee Duval, Portland, Ore.
*Reprinted from the Minutes of the Eleventh Annual Reunion Con- vention of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans, New Orleans, La., April 25, 26, 27, 1906 (8 vo. pp. 357). This separate is issued in the hope that greater interest in the subject matter of the report may be aroused. It is also issued in order that greater publicity may be given the work of the Committee than can be gained by the limited circulation of the volume from which it is taken. Interest in the relief, monument and historical work of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans is growing constantly. It is felt that it must be still further developed and encouraged before the Con- federation meets its full duty.— Editor.
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171 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
Immediately upon his appointment, the chairman put himself in touch, as far as possible, with all members of the committee, with all of the historical workers in the Confederation, and with such other influences as were calculated to assist him in further- ing the work in hand.
The Confederation an Historical Organization.
In Circular No. 4, hereinafter referred to, the attention of all to whom appeal was made was called anew to the fact that ours is strictly an historical and benevolent organization. Our con- stitution, among other objects, declares that its members will strive :
"To encourage the writing, by participants therein, of accounts, narratives, memoirs, histories of battles, episodes and occurrences of the war between the States.
"To gather authentic data, statistics, documents, reports, plans, maps and other material for an impartial history of the Confederate side; to collect and preserve relics and mementos of the war; to make and per- petuate a record of the service of every member of the United Confed- erate Veterans, and all other living Confederate Veterans, and, as far as possible, of their comrades who have preceded them into eternity."
These declarations, which cannot be too often read and pon- dered, constitute our chart, as well as the goal to which we should aspire.
As is well known to you all, the Commander-in-Chief is a leader in historical work in the South. He has served in the past as the chairman of this committee, and has given very great attention to its duties. In a letter to the present chairman, of date Nov. 23, 1905, he gives such a valuable summary of our duties that I feel that it should be incorporated here. He says :
"It is respectfully submitted that your energies and the collec- tive energies of your committee should be extended in the fol- lowing directions : ( 1 ) Emphasis of the important fact that ours is primarily an historical organization; (2) general encourage- ment of a love for history in itself; (3) encouragement of mem- bers of camps and others to do literary or historical work in- volving the period of the war; (4) collection of original or source materials for our permanent archives ; ( 5 ) an effort to bring about the use of unobjectionable histories and historical works in our schools and libraries; and (6) the accumulation of data for use in your report on all general historical activities suitable for public review.
"You will recognize in the foregoing simply an orderly and systematic arrangement of the duties contemplated in the sec- tions of our constitution previously mentioned. (Sections 2, 5, 6, 9, 90 and 92.) In the accomplishment of results a large cor- respondence will be necessary, and doubtless a printed circular
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 172
might be found valuable. Free use should be made of the press as a most valuable means of publicity.
"All phases of the work are, of course, important, but I wish to here emphasize the value of stimulating historical work by others. You should persistently urge all camps, and members as well, to do some historical work involving the period of the war. If the task is too difficult to arouse all, select twenty-five or more of the leading camps and twenty-five or more members of the Confederation of known interest and loyalty, and direct your energies to developing them. The results will be marvelous. I here beg to call your attention to an example in point : Camp Floyd County, Rome, Ga., has recently undertaken the prepara- tion of a history of the Eighth Georgia Regiment of Infantry, C. S. A. Its completion and publication will be a lasting monu- ment to the camp's appreciation of its heritage."
It will be seen that the suggestions made involve the doing of many things of an affirmative character, apart from the collection of the materials for this report, referred to later. Briefly stated, the chairman has endeavored to carry out the views of the Com- mander-in-Chief in all respects.
Activities of the Committee.
Following the receipt of this communication, Circular No. 4, March 1, 1906, was prepared, setting forth in detail the plan and scope of the report, and asking the aid and co-operation of the press, educational institutions, libraries, museums and indi- viduals. This circular was sent to the leading newspapers of the South, and was printed in a number of them, and was also sent to colleges, universities, libraries, etc. The chairman has also written several hundred letters to the members of the committee, to students and writers of history, professors of history in col- leges and universities, to libraries and to museums.
It has been his privilege to reside in a number of the Southern States from two to five or six months during the past three or four years, and to visit a large number of the schools, colleges and universities of these States, and to become personally ac- quainted with the professors and students of history in the South.
By this means and by extensive correspondence, he has endeav- ored to inform himself as to the actual condition of the study and teaching of the history of the South ; and especially the period of the War of Secession. The impression he has as to the study and writing of history and the growing interest in the history of the War and Reconstruction is most encouraging.
As members of Legislatures, of board of trustees of schools and colleges, and of public libraries, Sons of Confederate Veterans should be ever watchful that ample provision is made for the
173 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
collection and preservation of the sources of our history and for the correct and enthusiastic teaching of the history of the South to the youth of the South. "A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of a remote ancestry will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered by remote descendants."
Outline of Investigations.
The investigations conducted have been directed to the collec- tion of information helpful in the future prosecution of the work of the committee, as well as to all interested in the history of the War and Reconstruction. The following extract from Cir- cular No. 4 gives an outline :
"It is desired to include in the report information on the following topics, specially, and on any others of interest and value in the study of the history of the Confederacy:
"i. Number and character of text -books on American history in use in Southern educational institutions of all grades, including specially name and character of texts adopted for use in the public schools, with a detailed review of their treatment of the period for the War between the States, 1861-1865.
"2. Extent and character of courses, if any, in the history of the War and Reconstruction offered in the universities and colleges of the coun- try and the extent of the teaching of these subjects in the schools of the South.
"3. Descriptive list of printed collections of War and Reconstruction material.
"4. Descriptive list of manuscript collections of material relating to the War and Reconstruction.
"5. Bibliography of current literature bearing on the War and Recon- struction period — such as magazine articles, biographies, reminiscences, etc., etc.
"6. Report of State aid for historical work by the creation of depart- ments of archives and history or in other ways.
"7. An account of work of students doing original or special work in Confederate or Southern history.
"8. An account of historical work or study by organizations of Vet- erans, Sons of Veterans, Daughters of the Confederacy, Memorial Asso- ciations, etc."
In the presentation of the results of the inquiries made, the information bearing upon sub-divisions three and four has been consolidated, the matter of substantial importance in each case being the extent and character of all materials, printed and in manuscript, in any given collection.
As far as possible, the historical work of the Confederation has been set forth under the head of Division Reports.
1. Text-books on American History in Use in Schools, Colleges and Universities of the South.
In Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Kentucky there is an adoption of text-books by a State board for use in the public
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 174
schools for a term of years, usually five. In Virginia there is what is called a multiple list made by a State board, and under this arrangement four different texts are placed on the list from which county boards and independent districts make adoptions. In Arkansas, Missouri and Florida, adoptions are made by coun- ties. In many States the larger towns and cities are independent of the State and county adoptions, and very often use different texts from those on the State or county list.
Under State adoption Hansell's History, written by Prof. Henry E. Chambers, of New Orleans, and published by the University- Publishing Company, of New York and New Orleans, is in use in North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and, by county adoptions, in a number of counties of Arkansas.
Lee's History, by Susan Pendleton Lee, of Virginia, published by the B. F. Johnson Publishing Company, of Richmond, Va., is in use in South Carolina and Tennessee under State adoption, and in a number of counties of Virginia and of Arkansas under county adoptions.
Field's History, written by Miss Field, of Georgia, and pub- lished by the American Book Company, of New York, is in use in Georgia under State adoption, and in Florida under county adoptions.
Jones' School History, by Dr. J. William Jones, of Virginia, published by the University Publishing Company, is on the State list of Virginia, and is in use in many of the counties and cities of Virginia.
Bruce's History, by Bruce of Virginia, published by the Ameri- can Book Company, is on the State list of Virginia, and is in use in some counties and cities of the State.
White's History, by Dr. Henry A. White, of Columbia, S. C, published by Silver, Burdett & Company, New York, is on the State list in Virginia, and is in use in a number of counties and cities of the State.
Our Country is a text book on United States history written by Cooper, Estill and Lemmon, of Texas, and published by Ginn & Company, of Boston. This book has been criticized by the His- torical Committee of the United Confederate Veterans. A spe- cial edition is in use in Texas under State adoption.
Montgomery's, Butler's, Eggleston's, Morris', McMaster's, Barnes', Adams', Hart's, Fiske's and Channing's books in use to some extent in the private schools and colleges of many of the Southern States, and in some of the border States by county adoptions, as shown by the list given below, were written by Northern men, and the treatment of the War and Recon- struction in these books is wholly unsatisfactory, and do great in- justice to the motives and character of the Southern people.
175 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
This injustice is often done by omitting and ignoring important facts and characters in Southern history, as well as by direct state- ments that are not true, or that are vicious. For instance, Chan- ning's History does not contain an illustration of any person or incident connected with the War on the Southern side, not even Gen. Robert E. Lee or President Jefferson Davis, while John Brown, William Lloyd Garrison, Harriet Beecher Stowe and many others of their rank and character are made very promi- nent by illustrations.
The Beginner's History of Our Country, by Harry F. Estill, of Texas, published by the Southern Publishing Company, of Dallas, is a primary book which attempts to arouse the student's general interest in history by treating at some length a number of important topics.
Makers of American History is an elementary book on the biographical plan, written by Dr. J. A. C. Chandler, of Virginia, and published by Silver, Burdett & Company.
There are some new books that have just been published or that will be published very soon which will be offered for use in the schools of the South. Among these is a History, by Professor Mace, of New York, published by Rand, McNally & Company, of Chicago. This book is written from the Northern standpoint, and its treatment of the War period is not satisfactory. It is defective in the treatment of other periods of our history. On its very first page it emphasizes the importance of Plymouth Rock, but omits Jamestown.
Thompson's History, by Waddy Thompson, of South Carolina, published by D. C. Heath & Company of Boston, is a new book that is not in use to any extent as yet, and has not received any careful or critical notice.
A High School and College History, by Dr. J. William Jones, of Virginia, and by A. H. Ellett, of Mississippi, published by the University Publishing Company, is now in press, and will be issued in a few months. The authors state that they have given a very full and correct treatment of the War and Reconstruc- tion period.
Text-books on U. S. history in use in the South, arranged by States.
Virginia — Jones, Bruce, White and Lee, and Makers of Amer- ican History.
North Carolina — Hansell's two books.
South Carolina — Lee's two books.
Georgia — Field and the Beginner's History of Our Country.
West Virginia — Montgomery and Barnes.
Tennessee — Lee, and the Beginner's History.
Alabama — Hansell's two books.
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 176
Mississippi — Hansell's Higher History and the Beginner's History.
Arkansas — Shinn, Hansell and Lee.
Louisiana — Hansell's Higher History and the Beginner's His- tory.
Texas — Our Country and the Beginner's History.
Oklahoma and Indian Territory — McMaster, Channing, Adams and Trent.
Kentucky — Barnes.
Maryland — Barnes, Montgomery, Eggleston, McMaster, Mor- ris and Butler.
Missouri — Several different texts on history are in use in Mis- souri under county and city adoption, but definite information as to the books most generally used has not been obtained.
Florida — Field's History is in most general use under county adoption.
2. Courses in the War and Reconstruction Offered in Southern Colleges and Universities.
Personal letters were written by the chairman of the committee to the professors of history in thirty-six of the leading colleges and universities of the South, asking for information as to the extent and character of courses of study offered in the War of Se- cession and Reconstruction. A number of replies were received, giving the information desired. Through this correspondence and other forms of investigation, your committee finds that, with a number of notable exceptions, systematic and particular or special courses of study in this important period of our history are not offered in a large majority of our colleges and universities. There are, however, signs of improvement in this respect, and we dis- cover that as the resources of these institutions are increased and their faculties enlarged there is a disposition to give consideration to this period of history.
The professors of history in most of our Southern institutions are Southern men. As the faculties of our colleges are increased and strengthened, and better methods of teaching are adopted, State and Southern history will naturally receive the first atten- tion, as the material for original work in these fields is abundant and easily accessible throughout the South. We give below ex- tracts from a number of letters received showing the extent and character of work actually being done in the different institutions which have furnished the information requested.
University of Alabama, T. C. McCorvey, LL. D., Professor of History:
"Two undergraduate courses are offered in this institution which cover, more or less fully, the history of the War between the
177 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
States and Reconstruction. Course A I is required of all mem- bers of the freshman class. This is a general course in American history, and special emphasis is placed upon the period of the Civil War; while Course B IV is a course in the constitutional and political history of the United States, in which the Reconstruction era comes up for full consideration."
Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, George Petrie, A.M., Ph.D., Professor of History:
"Students in the department of history do original work in State and Southern history, using the newspaper files and maga- zines in the college library, in the State Department of Archives and History at Montgomery, in the Advertiser office, Montgom- ery, newspaper files in Mobile, Nashville, and other places where material desired may be found. Special topics are studied and lectures delivered upon them throughout the course. Each stu- dent who takes the advanced work in this department is required to prepare an article on some topic connected with the period studied. Many of these articles are published in the Transactions of the Alabama Historical Society, the American Historical Re- viezv, the Review of Reviews, or other similar journals.
"In the freshman class all students are required to take a course in American history, which extends through the entire year. It begins with the period of the Revolutionary War and goes through the Reconstruction period. In the junior and senior classes of the general course the work is also in American history, and is conducted by the method described above. Every possible en- couragement is given the student to investigate for himself. With post-graduate students the work is almost entirely in the labora- tory."
Southern University, Greensboro, Rev. S. M. Hosmer, D.D., President :
"We have no separate text-book on the history of the Civil War. We have, however, a medal offered by the U. D. C. chapter for the best original speech on some phase of the Civil War. This ora- torical contest provokes much interest among the students and causes a good deal of research."
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Prof J. H. Reynolds, Secretary :
" There is only one teacher of history in the University of
Arkansas. This limited teaching force will not permit of much work in the field suggested by your inquiry, and, as a matter of fact, only about two and a half months in the session are abso- lutely devoted to the subject In this short time we dis- cuss the contest between Federal authority and State rights, the slavery controversy, culminating in the Civil War. We skip the actual military operations and take up Reconstruction and study
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 178
the Presidential reconstruction, followed by Congressional re- construction, the establishment of carpet-bag governments in the South, their operations and final overthrow."
University of Florida, Lake City, David Y. Thomas, Ph.D., Professor of History:
''The course of study offered in the University of Florida is ar- ranged in four groups. Section 2 of group 4 is outlined as fol- lows : 'Civil War and Reconstruction : Study of the actual steps of separation, the Confederate Constitution, civil liberty North and South during the war, political (Presidential and Congressional) and economic reconstruction, the undoing of Reconstruction (for seniors and graduates; both semesters, three hours).'"
University of Georgia, Athens, J. H. McPherson, Professor of History :
"The Civil War and Reconstruction are treated in the Univer- sity of Georgia as constituent parts of two courses : First, a gen- eral course in the political history of the United States, sufficiently advanced in character to be taken by juniors; second, a still more advanced course in the constitutional history of the United States. No separate or special courses in these subjects (Civil War and Reconstruction) are offered."
Mercer University, Macon, Oliver P. Chitwood, Professor of History :
"Mercer University offers two courses in American constitu- tional and political history, each of which is pursued for one term. In one of these courses considerable attention is given to the causes of, and the events leading to, the great war. The war itself is only rapidly reviewed and the Reconstruction period is then taken up in detail."
University of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, A. T. Prescott, Pro- fessor of History :
"We give only two courses in the history of the United States, one devoted to industrial and economic developments and the other treating of constitutional growth and interpretation. We have in view special work covering the Civil War and Reconstruction as soon as our resources will allow it."
University of Mississippi, Oxford, Dr. Franklin L. Riley, Professor of History :
"We are now giving some special work in this subject (Civil War and Reconstruction) in one of our senior courses, in con- nection with the political and constitutional history of the United States. I am preparing to give next year, in addition to this work, a seminary course on the history of Reconstruction in the different counties of Mississippi. In addition to this class work, a large number of our students devote much time to a study of the consti- tutional principles involved in secession, in competition for the Jno.
179 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
E. Odom Confederate Memorial prize, which consists of the an- nual interest on $1,000, and which is to be awarded to the student in the university who shall present the best essay or oration in defense of the constitutional and legal rights of the Southern States to secede from the Federal Union in 1861."
Millsaps College, Jackson, J. E. Walmsby, Professor of His- tory:
"In my junior class I give a course in political history from 1850 to 1896, most of which is given to Reconstruction. I do not treat the narrative part of the Civil War, only the political. One- third of my senior year is given to Garner's Reconstruction in Mississippi."
Mississippi College, Natchez, George H. Brunson, A.M., Pro- fessor of History :
"In the American history course special emphasis is laid on the development of the idea of secession. Notice is taken of the bear- ing of opinion as expressed in the Virginia and Kentucky resolu- tion; the debate on the admission of Louisiana; debate on the Foote resolution, etc. The various plans and measures of recon- struction also receive consideration. These matters are of too vital importance to be omitted from a good course in American history."
Trinity College, Durham, J. S. Bassett,* Ph.D., Professor of History :
Courses are outlined in the general catalogue as follows:
"3^. Secession and Reconstruction. — Following the above course, students will be given an opportunity to study that cor- relative process by which the older idea of separateness rebelled against the newer idea of nationality and the effects which pro- ceeded therefrom. The method followed in Courses 3a and 36 will be lectures and collateral readings. Mon., Wed., Fri., at 12 (second half-year). Offered every year."
Wake Forest College, Wake Forest, N. C, E. Walter Sikes, Professor of History :
"During the session of 1905-6 the following courses were given on Civil War and Reconstruction history : 1. Three hours a week for two and a half months. Course IV. — 1 lecture yearly, North Carolina history, 3 lectures on the part that North Car/, lina took in the War and Reconstruction."
Clemson College, Clemson College, S. C, Wm. Shannon Morrison, Professor of History:
"The history of South Carolina and the history of the South receive special attention. Every effort is made to enable the young men to see and feel as their fathers and forefathers saw and felt."
*Now (1906) at Columbia University, N. Y.
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 180
Furman University, Greenville, S. C, Edwin M. Poteat, President :
"We are able at present to give only a general course in Amer- ican history, and offer no special course in the Civil War, though, of course, that period is covered."
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., Frederick W. Moore, Ph.D., Professor of History :
"I have had over a dozen students this year in an advanced course in American constitutional history, who have been doing excellent and intelligent work. This term we are working over the Civil War and Reconstruction period with much interest. I expect to give this course in alternate years. One or two of my students are very much interested in gathering Ku Klux items."
University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn., St. George Leakin Sioussat, Ph.D., Professor of History :
"For the present year, no courses are offered in this institution upon the history of the Civil War and Reconstruction, specially as such. The period is treated, however, in the relation of Amer- ican constitutional history, and in connection with American eco- nomic history. In the later course I shall take up the financial side."
University of Texas, Austin, George P. Garrison, LL.D., Professor of History:
"No separate courses on the Civil War and Reconstruction are given in the school of history of the University of Texas. These subjects are dealt with in regular undergraduate course in United States history. The course runs through the entire year, and several weeks are spent on the two subjects in question."
Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Va., Wm. E. Dodd, Ph.D., Professor of History:
"I am offering next year a course : 'The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government,' which, I think, will cover the ground of your inquiry. No other specific course is offered here in these subjects. But my course in general American history, given in alternate years, gives a pretty full treatment of the Southern side of our national life. The course will embrace (i) discussion of the States' rights claims of the South, as well as the North; (2) the growth of slavery as an institution; (3) the expansion of the United States under pro-slavery leadership; (4) secession and war; (5) Reconstruction."
University of West Virginia, Morgantown, Walter L. Flem- ing, Ph.D., Professor of History :
"Courses in history that touch upon the Civil War and Recon- struction Period :
"History 23. American Political History (1829-1869).
"History 24. Reconstruction and Later American History.
181 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
"History 29. Slavery in America.
"History 28. Economic and Social History of the United States.
"History 5. United States History (general course).
"Course 24 is devoted entirely to the problems arising during Civil War and Reconstruction. In the other courses special atten- tion is paid to the causes, incidents and results of the Civil War. Three courses are given each year."
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, R. H. Dabney, Pro- fessor of History:
"In the latter part of my course in English and American his- tory (taken by candidates for the M. A. degree who select his- tory as one of their subjects, and also by some others) I lecture on the history of the War of Secession (using Col. Dodge's "Bird's-eye View of Our Civil War" as a text-book). When I have candidates for the Ph.D. degree I give a whole year's course on the history of Reconstruction — going through a num- ber of books and studying original sources as far as possible."
While not a Southern institution, the following items con- cerning the University of Chicago are of sufficient importance to be noted.
The University of Chicago: The Annual Register, 1906, indicates one hundred and seventeen courses of instruction of- fered by the Department of History. Of these the following five affect the field of interest to us :
Course 19. The history of the United States from 1815 to the War.
Course 20. The history of the United States from 1861.
Course 85. United States history from i860 to 1869.
Course 88. History of the United States from the Compro- mise of 1850 to secession — Geographic and economic differences between the sections which led to a reorganization of parties, the election of Lincoln, and a test of secession.
Course 112. The Confederate States of America. An inves- tigation of the experiment of the seceding States, their domestic and foreign relations, their economic difficulties and the possi- bility of their success if not forced to return to the Union.
In the Department of Political Economy, Course 24, Financial History of the United States, embraces a discussion of "Civil War financiering with especial reference to bond and note issues, and resort to legal tender currency."
3. War and Reconstruction Historical Materials in Libraries and
Museums.
By correspondence with librarians, directors of museums and with students, we have collected much information as to the loca-
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 182
tion of both printed and manuscript material bearing on the War and Reconstruction. It would be impracticable to print lists of the material, and no further attempt is made than to give brief descriptions of the several places where collections are to be found. An exception has been made in the case of such an important item as newspaper files.
The value of a complete account of such depositories, with lists of manuscripts, newspapers and relics, must be apparent on the slightest reflection. Students desire now, more than anything else, to know where to find collections of materials.
It is to be regretted, of course, that a more satisfactory list cannot be given here, but no sufficiently definite information is at hand to make it more extensive. Later reports can correct, enlarge and add to the present one.
Alabama Department of Archives and History, Mont- gomery.— The support given by Alabama to historical work and enterprise is administered through a separate Department of State, known as the Department of Archives and History. It was created by act approved Feb. 2j, 1901, and the duties en- joined are as follows:
"The care and custody of official archives, the collection of ma- terials bearing upon the history of the State, and of the territory included therein, from the earliest times; the completion and publication of the State's official records and other historical materials, the diffusion of knowledge in reference to the history and resources of the State, the encouragement of historical work and research," etc., etc.
This Department, through the leadership of Dr. Thomas M. Owen, its Director, has done much to stimulate State-supported historical work in the South, as well as in other sections of the country, and it has been of incalculable service to the cause of history in Alabama. It has the confidence of the people, and its career of usefulness has just begun. For a full account of its aspirations and activities see Department Bulletin No. 1 (8 vo, pp. 48), issued Aug. 1, 1904. See also Report of the American Historical Association for 1904, pp. 235-257, in which there is a full discussion of the subject by Dr. Owen.
(1) Printed books. While far from complete, the printed lit- erature of the Confederacy in the Department library is extensive. It includes full sets of the Official War Records, 130 vols; the Official Naval Records, 19 vols. ; the Confederate Military His- tory, 12 vols; and the Confederate Veteran, 13 vols. It has also the narratives and personal memoirs of the principal actors on each side. The collection is being gradually strengthened by the acquisition of all new books relating to the war. The pamph- let odds and ends are numerous and valuable.
183 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
(2) Newspaper files. The Department has the following Ala- bama newspaper files, in whole or in part, for the period of the war:
Eufaula. Spirit of the South. 1861. Eutaw. The Independent Observer. 1861. Florence. Florence Gazette. 1860-1863. Gainesville. The Independent. 1860-1865. Greensboro. Alabama Beacon. 1860-1865. Greenville. Southern Messenger. 1860-1861. Grove Hill. Clarke County Democrat. 1860-1865. Huntsville. Southern Advocate. 1861. Jacksonville. Jacksonville Republican. 1860-1865. Mobile. The Register. 1861-1865. Mobile. The Tribune. 1862. Mobile. Mobile Evening News. 1862-1863. Monroeville. Southern Champion. 1860-1861. Montgomery. The Advertiser. 1862- 1863. Montgomery. The Post. 1 860-1 861. Mongomery. The Mail. 1861-1864. Selma. Morning Reporter. 1861-1864. Selma. Daily State Journal. 1862. Selma. Morning Dispatch. 1863- 1864. Selma. Evening Dispatch. 1864. Talladega. Democratic Watchtower. 1861-1865. Troy. The Southern Advertiser. 1863. Tuskegee. Southwestern Baptist. 1860-1865. Wetumpka. The Spectator. 1861.
(3) Scrap books. The Department has a large number of scrap books, filled with newspaper clippings relating to the Con- federate times. They are of more or less value, principally in a suggestive way.
(4) Manuscripts. The Department manuscripts bearing on the war, and relating to the part of Alabama troops therein, con- sist of official documents of a contemporary character, such as the records and files of the old Adjutant and Inspector-General's office, the old Quartermaster-General's office, correspondence of the Governors and other State officers, and miscellaneous docu- ments. They embrace also such of the rosters and other collec- tions made by Col. Wm. H. Fowler, Superintendent of Army Rec- ords, as have been preserved. Partial lists of these will be found in the Report of the Alabama History Commission, vol. i, 1901, pp. 332"353- The work of Col. Fowler is fully described in the Transactions of the Alabama Historical Society, vol. ii, pp. 178-191.
(5) Relics. The Department has the nucleus of a fine collec- tion of guns, pistols, swords, knives, battle-field remains, and other articles used by Confederate soldiers. Among other things it has the pistols used by Col. Virgil Murphy, Seventeenth Alabama Infantry, and Gen. James Cantey, and the swords of Col. Sam Adams and Col. R. H. Abercrombie. The collection includes a
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 184
pike, and also an old mortar made from the axle of a steamboat wheel.
(6) Portraits. The historical gallery of the Department con- tains life-size portraits of Jefferson Davis, Gen. Robert E. Lee, Gen. Braxton Bragg, Wm. L. Yancey, Henry W. Hilliard, Ad- miral Raphael Semmes, Gen. L. P. Walker, Gen. R. E. Rodes, Gen. Henry D. Clayton, Gen. W. W. Allen, Gen. Isham W. Gar- rott, Gen. Danville Leadbetter, Gen. Zach C. Deas, Gen. John T. Morgan, Gen. E. W. Pettus, Gen. John C. C. Sanders, Gen. M. J. Bulger, Major John Pelham and Emma Sansom. In its collec- tions are hundreds of photographs of Alabama soldiers of all grades.
Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn. — Brief indica- tions of the War material in the library of this institution have been supplied by Dr. Charles C. Thach, President:
"In the general college library, and in the private collections of the Department of History there are about fifteen hundred books and pamphlets touching the Civil War and Reconstruction. This includes formal histories, biographies, government publica- tions, bound volumes of newspapers, and some manuscript ma- terial. This is carefully catalogued and easily accessible to students and the public."
Alabama State University, Tuscaloosa. — The materials in the library of the State University consist largely of a good col- lection of printed literature covering the general field — historical and biographical, the Official War Records, and a few official Con- federate documents.
Boston Athenaeum. — The library of the Boston Athenaeum is rich in War material. It is said that its collections were the principal source drawn upon by Dr. James Ford Rhodes in the preparation of his monumental History of the United States. Through the courtesy of Mr. Charles Knowlton Bolton, brief indications of the extent of these materials are presented, with a full list of its periodicals and newspapers for the period. The entire collection numbers about 600 volumes.
( 1 ) Printed books, manuscripts and relics.
Constitutions and Acts of Confederate States of America ; mis- cellaneous volumes of Congress ; President's messages ; Confeder- ate States of America — Reports of Departments ; documents of various States; army and navy reports of battles; War Depart- ment— General orders, regulations, etc. ; military miscellanies ; local militia ; Confederate States of America — Survivors' Asso- ciation.
Volumes published in the Confederate States of America, 1861-65, include Bibles, prayer-books, sermons, songs and song- books, school books, history and biography, fiction, poetry and
185 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
miscellaneous writings ; one volume of broadsides, two scrap books (containing blank forms used by the Army and Hospital, a few letters, stamps, money, bonds, cheques, Confederate bank note paper, marriage and baptism certificates, sales of slaves, C. S. A. ordinances of different States, muster roll of Capt. J. R. Rhodes' Company D of the First Confederate Regiment, and a few mis- cellaneous papers) ; report of C. S. Bodley, Sheriff of Fayette County, Ky., of sale and sale bill of slaves sold at court house, March 14, 1863.
(2) Periodicals and newspapers. The volumes noted in detail below embrace 16 vols, of magazines and 52 vols, of newspapers.
Periodicals.
Richmond. The Bohemian. No. 1. 1863.
New Orleans and Columbia, S. C. De Bow's Review. 30, 31, 32-33. July-Aug., 1864. 1861-62. 1862-64.
London. The Index. V. 1-5. 1862-1865.
Richmond. The Magnolia. V. 1-3. 1862-1865.
Camp Ford, Texas. The Old Flag. V. 1, Nos. 1-3 (fac simile). 1864.
Richmond. The Record. Nos. 1-26. June 18-Dec. 10, 1863. 1863.
Richmond. The Age. 1-5. 1864.
Charleston. Southern Episcopalian.. V. 81. 1861.
Augusta, Ga. Southern Field and Fireside. V. 2. 1864.
Richmond. Southern Illustrated News. V. 1-3. 1862-1864.
Richmond. Southern Literary Messenger. V. 32-35, 38. 1861-1863.
Memphis. Southern Monthly. V. 1 (V. 1, No. 1, is bound) 1861-1862.
Richmond. Southern Punch.. V. 1, 2. 1863-1864.
Newspapers.
Alabama newspapers. 1863-1864. 2 Vols. Georgia newspapers. 1860-1865. 3 Vols. Southern newspapers. 1854- 1865. 4 Vols. Virginia newspapers. 1862-1865. New Orleans newspapers. 1860-1865.
Augusta Daily Chronicle and Sentinel. June, 1862, May 30, 1865. 5 Vols. Charleston Courier. July, 1861-1864. 5 Vols.
Charleston Mercury. Jan.-June, 1861. (One No. 1862). 1862-1865 (in- complete). 2 Vols.
Mobile. The Army Argus and Crisis. Dec, 1864, April, 1865.
Mobile Evening News. May, 1865.
Mobile Register and Advertiser. Feb., 1863-1865. 4 Vols.
Nashville Dispatch. Sept., 1863; June, 1864; Jan. -June, 1865. 2 Vols.
Richmond Dispatch. 1861, March, 1865. 6 Vols.
Richmond Enquirer. 1861, 1863, 1864. 3 Vols.
Richmond Examiner. 1861, March, 1865. 6 Vols.
Richmond Whig. 1861, March, 1865.
Savannah Republican. 1861, Jan., 1865.
Vicksburg Daily Citizen. July 2, 1863, with fac simile.
Carnegie Library, Atlanta. Under the direction of the libra- rian, Miss Anne Wallace, this library has accumulated a fine gen- eral collection of War and Reconstruction literature. A partial list appears in its Monthly Bulletin for August, 1904, under the title of "Southern Americana."
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 186
Columbia University, New York. — Concerning this library, Dr. James H. Canfield, Librarian, writes :
"The Garden Library, deposited here by the New York South- ern Society, contains about two hundred titles on Confederate historical material relating to the Civil War and Reconstruction period. Outside the Garden Library, we have about thirty titles of Confederate publications, about sixty-three titles of works from a Southern standpoint (under the history of the Civil War), and quite a number of entries from Southern newspapers in the later volumes of the Townsend collection of newspaper material bearing upon the Civil War."
A Catalogue of the Garden Library was published in 1891, a copy of which can be seen in the library of the Alabama Depart- ment of Archives and History. (8 vo., pp. 143.)
The Townsend collection is perhaps the largest collection of newspaper clippings in existence on this field.
Confederate Museum, Richmond. — This museum, maintained at Richmond by the Confederate Memorial Literary Society, in the mansion occupied by President Jefferson Davis as a residence during the war, has perhaps the largest collection of relics and interesting objects relating to the great struggle in existence. It was formally opened Feb. 22, 1896. The catalogue of the collection (8 vo., pp. 300), issued in 1905, reveals the richness of materials brought together. No student of the war can under- take a study of any part of the conflict without finding illustrative material here.
The collections made by the Southern Historical Society are preserved in this museum.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. — The library of Har- vard University is rich in a hundred departments. Mr. W. C. Lane submits the following brief report on its Confederate col- lections :
"We have about three hundred works — books and pamphlets — which may be considered as relating directly to the Confederacy during the Civil War. Our collection of Southern newspapers of the period between 1 861 -1865 is small."
Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. — The resources and the availability of the materials in the Library of Congress are set forth in a series of brief reports or memoranda supplied by its officials. The following communication from Mr. M. D. Mc- Guffey, secretary to Dr. Herbert Putnam, librarian, is explanatory of those which follow. It is a pleasure to note that there is no more obliging institution anywhere than the Library of Congress. Its helpfulness to students is being shown in numbers of ways and almost daily. Mr. McGuffey says:
187 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
"Permit me, in the absence of the Librarian, to transmit to you the reports of the Chiefs of the Manuscripts, Prints and Music Divisions, together with that of the Superintendent of the Reading Room, on your query as to the extent and character of the materials in the Library of Congress bearing upon the subject of the Civil War and Reconstruction, and with these a statement made by the Chief Bibliographer.
"As to the query in regard to Southern newspaper files, 1861-65, it can best be answered by the 'Check List of American News- papers,' in the Library of Congress; a publication which was is- sued in 1901. A copy of the volume annotated, as far as possible, to date, will be sent at once to the General Headquarters of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans for the collection there.
"You said, we note, that you wished to publish in the forthcom- ing volume of the Minutes of the U. S. C. V. 'a full and definite statement' as to the material in this library. You could not, of course, have meant this literally, for the Library of Congress is a library of nearly a million and a half volumes, which has made a specialty of Americana; and such a statement, could we conven- iently compile it, you assuredly could not use. Even a list of the monographs would doubtless be beyond your limits, and a student of the subject must go far beyond monograph. What you have in mind, we suppose, and what we should recommend, is a general statement, with some particulars only by way of illus- tration, and explained as such.
"You might add the assurance that the Library of Congress is most ready to answer any specific inquiry and to put its resources at the service of anyone who comes to it for the purpose of re- search and investigation."
( 1 ) Printed Books. A. P. C. Griffin, Chief Bibliographer :
"I find by counting the items on the library's shelf lists that the Library of Congress contains in the sections devoted to Amer- ican history, 3,697 books and 1,666 pamphlets relating to the Civil War. These figures do not give the whole extent of the printed resources of the Library on the subject, as they are not inclusive of pamphlets relating to the period in question which are bound in various pamphlet collections in the library ; or docu- ments, State and national, which should likewise be taken into account.
"The book and pamphlet material in the library relating to the period of Reconstruction is at present scattered through the sec- tions relating to American history, American politics, the negro, etc. ; is in the sets of State and national documents in the library ; and is in various pamphlet collections.
"Any estimate of the number of books and pamphlets dealing with Reconstruction would be apt to be misleading."
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 188
(2) Manuscripts. Worthington C. Ford, Chief of Division of Manuscripts :
"The library, in manuscripts relating to the Civil War and Re- construction, possesses the papers of Andrew Johnson, Salmon P. Chase, Senator Lyman Trumbull, Robert J. and W. C. P. Breckinridge and Elihu P. Washburne. It also possesses the original laws of the Confederacy, and some correspondence of the Confederate Treasurer with the Collector of Customs at Sa- vannah.
(3) Prints. D. E. Roberts, Assistant in Charge Prints Divi- sion:
"The Division of Prints has among its collections 2,300 photo- graphs from negatives taken by Mr. Brady during the Civil War. The subjects covered are forts, battle-fields, pontoons, camp life and equipments, ruins, movements of both armies in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and group portraits of staff offi- cers.
"In our main collection of portraits we also have a number of Confederate Generals and subordinate officers and a portrait index of these officers as they occur in magazines and books."
(4) Music bearing on the subject of the Civil War and Re- construction. O. G. Sonneck, Chief Music Division :
"The North is represented by the patriotic songs, songsters, marches, etc., copyrighted in those years. It may safely be said that this collection is unique. Unfortunately, a catalogue has not been prepared.
"The South is represented by the same class of material, but the collection has been acquired by purchase. Though by no means complete, it is already very remarkable. Mr. W. R. Whit- tlesey, Assistant in the Music Division, is a specialist in 'Southern Music,' and for years has been at work on a comprehensive refer- ence list which includes many titles not in the Library of Con- gress.
"An additional interest attaches to this kind of music on account of the portraits of Generals, political genre scenes, cartoons, em- blems, etc., on the title pages."
New York Public Library. — The following description of the collection of this great library has been supplied by the Direc- tor, Dr. J. S. Billings :
"Our printed books relating to the subject include a fairly good collection of publications of the Confederate Government and of the various Southern States during the period of the war.
"Of our newspaper files you may be able to get an idea from the enclosed printed list. This represents only the papers on hand in 1895, since which time we have added over 700 pieces.
189 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
"Our regimental histories, personal reminiscences and other contributions to the history of the war, written from the Southern standpoint, or printed in the South, number probably 300 pieces.
"We have a good collection of Confederate bonds and issues of paper money in the Emmet Collection of this library, and this same collection has also a comprehensive lot of Confederate but- tons.
"Our manuscript collection includes — outside of the several hundred autograph letters written in the South during the war or by participants in the war, but written at later dates — a volume of 'Opinions' delivered by the Attorneys-General, C. S. A., be- tween April, 1861, and March, 1865. We have also the manu- script Minutes of the Executive Committee of the Mobile Con- federate Committee, covering the period 1862 to 1863.
"We have also a number of prints, portraits, photographs, cari- catures, etc., representing both Confederate and Union actors in the struggle."
Its collection of Southern newspapers is as follows : Charleston, S. C. Charleston Daily Courier. 1862.
Charleston Tri-Weekly Courier. 1862.
Savannah, Ga. Daily Morning News. 1863.
The Savannah Republican. 1863.
Columbus, Ga. Daily Columbus Inquirer. 1863.
The Daily Sun. 1863.
Columbus Daily Times. 1863.
Gainesville, Fla. Cotton States. 1862. Tallahassee, Fla. The Floridian and Journal. 1862. Montgomery, Ala. Montgomery Weekly Mail. 1862. Mobile, Ala. Mobile Advertiser and Register. 1862.
(Continued as) Advertiser and Register. 1863.
Mobile Evening Nezvs. 1862.
New Orleans, La. The Daily Picayune. 1862.
Evening True Delta. 1862.
Central City, Col. The Miners Register. 1864.
The library issues a valuable monthly Bulletin, in which are given special bibliographies, original documents, etc., etc.
North Carolina State Library. — Miles O. Sherrill, Libra- rian, reports as follows:
"We have newspaper files covering not only the period of War, 1861-65, and Reconstruction, but running back over 100 years, all bound in book form, also a collection of clippings from va- rious papers during the war. The most important books relating to the war are the North Carolina Regimental Histories in five volumes, edited by Chief Justice Walter Clark. We have other books and pamphlets as follows : The Broken Sword, by Col. David Worthington ; Reminiscences of Guilford Grays, by John A. Sloan ; Pickett or Pettigrew, by Capt. R. W. Bond ; History of Company I, Forty-ninth Regiment, by W. A. Day; Brief Sketch of North Carolina Troops, by J. C. Birdsong; Sketch of
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 190
Sixth North Carolina Regiment, by N. W. Ray ; Sketch of Fifty- eighth North Carolina Regiment, by Maj. G. W. F. Harper ; Battle of Elizabethtown, by Col. W. F. Beasley ; Battle of Great Bethel, by Frank I. Wilson ; Sketch of Pee Dee Guards, by Capt H. C. Wall ; Sketch of Forty-sixth North Carolina Regiment, by Col. Thomas Kenan ; Prison Life, by Miles O. Sherrill ; Five Points in Record of North Carolina Troops, by Ashe, Clark, London, et al.; Sketches, by T. N. Ramsay; Memorial Addresses, by Maj. C. M. Stedman, Col. A. M. Waddell, Col. W. H. H. Cowles, J. M. Leach, Jr., Judge D. Schenck, Gen. W. R. Cox, Gen. A. M. Scales, et al.
"We have in our State Library sixty-seven portraits of officers and soldiers, exclusive of some groups. The guns, swords, uni- forms, flags, etc., are in charge of Col. Fred E. Olds, and are in the Historical Department of our State Museum."
United Daughters of the Confederacy, Charleston, S. C. — The Chapters of the U. D. C. at Charleston, S. C, have made a very fine collection of Confederate relics. These are carefully preserved, arranged and catalogued. A Catalogue was published in 1902, under the direction of Miss Mary B. Poppenheim, of Charleston, Chairman of the Historical Department, etc.
Virginia State Library. — The following brief report on this library is made by the librarian, Mr. John P. Kennedy:
"It would be next to impossible to give you a list of all Con- federate material we have in this library. We have a hundred thousand papers, books, music and other items of interest which are not yet catalogued."
War Department Library, Washington, D. C. — The effort is being made by the United States War Department Library to assemble an absolutely complete and full collection of Civil War material, as well as all other material affecting any section of the United States in any and all wars. Subject lists or catalogues are issued from time to time, and these furnish convenient guides to the material on hand. Every facility is afforded those who care to make use of the collections.
Mr. James W. Cheney, the librarian, sends the following list of periodicals on file :
Charleston Mercury. Dec. 9, 1863, to Feb. II, 1865.
Charleston Tri-Weekly Courier. Jan. 1, 1862, to Dec. 7, 1865.
Confederate Military Reports. 20 Vols, and supplement.
Confederate War Journal. Vols. 1-2, April 1893, to March, 1895. 1 Vol.
New Orleans Daily Picayune. Jan. 1, 1861, to June 30, 1861.
New Orleans Daily True Delta. Nov. 18, i860, to May 17, 1861. 1 Vol.
Our Living and Our Dead. Vols. 1-3. Sept., 1874, to Dec. 1875. 3 Vols.
Southern History Association Publications. Vols. 1-8. 1897 to 1904.
Southern Bivouac. Vols. 2-3. Sept., 1883, to May, 1885, N. S. V. 1-2, June, 1885, to May, 1887.
Southern Historical Society Papers. Vols. 1-32. 1876 to 1904.
191 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
War Department, The Military Secretary's Office. — The sev- eral official records of the Union and Confederate armies in the possession of the Federal Government have been brought together from various depositories in one collection in the Military Sec- retary's office (formerly in part the Record and Pension Office). The very greatest care is given these valuable records, which consist of original orders, order books, letters, letter books, re- ports, rosters, paroles, prison records, etc., etc. These records consist, from the Confederate side, of the original records of the War Department, C. S. A., and of other departments, original papers collected by Gen. Marcus J. Wright, agent for the collec- tion of Confederate records, and original papers sent in by indi- viduals. These have recently been supplemented by copies made by the office from the originals of large collections in the posses- sion of Southern States and of historical societies, etc.
Copies of these records can be obtained only on the application of the Governor of the State from which the troops served, whose records are desired, and on the prepayment of the necessary fees.
It may not be amiss here to say that a large part of the purely documentary materials has already been published as the Official War Records, etc., in 130 volumes, and sets of which are to be found in all important libraries.
4. Publications Touching Southern or Confederate History of the War and Reconstruction Period, issued since January I, 1905.
The very full, and yet necessarily incomplete, current bibliog- raphy (Jan. 1, 1905, to date) of literature bearing on the War and Reconstruction, which we are able to present herewith, is furnished us by the courtesy of Dr. Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Congress. It was compiled by Mr. A. P. C. Griffin, Chief Bib- liographer of the library.
The value of the publication of a limited or partial current bibli- ography, as in the present case, would not be attempted but for illustrative purposes. It is felt that the members of the Confedera- tion should have an annual summary of the current literature of our field, even more complete than is here attempted, and certainly with critical notes. It has perhaps another value, in that it will serve to show how great is the interest in the subject on the part of students and writers. It may be observed that the development of this class of literature is but the response of writers to the demand of the public, showing a general interest. The list fol- lows:
Books.
Adam, Graeme Mercer. The Life of General Robert E. Lee; the life- career and military achievements of the great Southern general, with a record of the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia. New York:
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 192
A. L. Burt Company (1905), iv, iii-iv, 321 pp. Plates. 12 °. (Burt's library of the world's best books.)
Adams, Charles Francis, Jr. Some phases of the civil war; an appre- ciation and criticism of Mr. James Ford Rhodes's fifth volume. Cam- bridge: J. Wilson & Son, 1905. 46 pp. 8°.
Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Massachusetts histor- ical society, second series, vol. xix, pp. 315-356.
Battine, Cecil William. The crisis of the Confederacy; a history of Gettysburg and the Wilderness. London, New York [etc.] : Long- mans, Green & Co., 1905. xv (1), 424 pp. Colored frontispiece. Folded maps. 8°.
Chesnut, Mary Boykin — "Mrs. James Chesnut, Jr." — A Diary from Dixie, as written by Mary Boykin Chesnut, wife of James Chesnut, Jr., United States senator from South Carolina, 1859-1861, and afterward an aide to Jefferson Davis and a brigadier-general in the Confederate army; ed. by Isabella D. Martin and Myrta Lockett Avary. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1905. xxii, 424 pp. Plates. Portraits. Facsimiles. 8°.
Confederate States of America. Congress. Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1865. Vols. 5-7. Washington: Government printing office, 1905. 3 vols. 8°. (U. S. 58th Congress, 2d session. Senate document No. 234.)
President. A compilation of the messages and papers of the Con- federacy, including the diplomatic correspondence, 1861-1865; published by permission of Congress by James D. Richardson. Nashville : United States publishing company, 1905. 2 vols, thus far issued. Frontispiece. Portraits. 8°.
Craven, John J. Prison life of Jefferson Davis, embracing details and incidents in his captivity, particulars concerning his health and habits, to- gether with many conversations on topics of great public interest. New York: G. W. Dillingham company, [1905] 319, (1) pp. Portrait. 12".
Curtis, Walter Gilman. Reminiscences. 1848-1900. For thirty years State quarantine surgeon for the port of Wilmington. Southport, N. C : Herald job office, [1905]. (2), 64 pp. Portrait. 8°.
Reminiscences of Wilmington and Smithville-Southport. 1848-1900.
Eggleston, George Cary. A Rebel's recollections. 4th ed., with an additional chapter on the old regime in the Old Dominion. New York and London: G. P. Putnam's sons, 1905. lxxv, 260 pp. 120.
Fitch, Michael Hendrick. Echoes of the civil war as I hear them. New York: R. F. Fenno & Co., 1905. 369 pp. Plates. Maps. 120.
The Flags of the Confederate Armies. Returned to the men who bore them by the United States government [St. Louis: Printed by Buxton & Skinner,] 1905. 56 pp. Illustrations. 40.
Fleming, Walter Lynwood. Civil war and reconstruction in Ala- bama. New York: The Columbia university press. The Macmillan company, 1905 xxiii, 815 pp. Illustrations. Plates. Portraits. Maps. Facsimiles. 8°.
The reconstruction of seceded states. Albany, 1905. (New
York. State education department. Syllabus 97.)
Noted in American Historical Review, October, 1905, p. 220.
Ford, Arthur Peronneau. Life in the Confederate army; being per- sonal experiences of a private soldier in the Confederate army, and some experiences and sketches of Southern life, by Marion Johnstone Ford. New York and Washington : The Neale publishing company, 1905. 136 pp. Portraits. 12°.
Garrett, William Robertson, and Robert Ambrose Halley. The civil war from a southern standpoint. Philadelphia : G. Barrie & Sons,
193 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
1905. xxv, (3), 553 pp. Plates. Portraits. Maps. Facsimiles. 8°. (His- tory of North America, vol. 14.)
Hollis, John Porter. The early period of reconstruction in South Carolina. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins press, 1905. 129, (2) pp. 8°. (Johns Hopkins university studies in historical and political science. Series xxiii, Nos. 1-2.)
Howard, Frances Thomas. In and out of the lines ; an accurate ac- count of incidents during the occupation of Georgia by federal troops in 1864-65. New York and Washington : The Neale Publishing Com- pany, 1905. (8), 238 pp. 12°.
Hull, Mrs. Susan R. Boy soldiers of the Confederacy. New York and Washington : The Neale publishing company, 1905. 256 pp. Plates. Portraits. 8°.
Hunter, Alexander. Johnny Reb and Billy Yank; illustrated by Har- old Macdonald and R. O. Tolman. New York and Washington : The Neale publishing company, 1905. 720 pp. Plates. Portraits. 8".
Huse, Caleb. The supplies of the Confederate army, how they were obtained in Europe and how paid for.
Noted in American Historical Review, April, 1905, p. 719.
Knight, Landon. The real Jefferson Davis. Battle Creek, Mich. : The Pilgrim magazine company, 1904. 203 pp. Plates. Portraits. 120.
Lester, John C, and D. L. Wilson. Ku Klux Klan, its origin, growth and disbandment ; with appendices containing the prescripts of the Ku Klux Klan, specimen orders and warnings ; with introduction and notes by Walter L. Fleming. New York and Washington : The Neale publishing company, 1905. 108, (10) pp. Plates. Portraits. Fac- similes. 8°.
Martin, Thomas Ricaud. The great parliamentary battle and fare- well addresses of the Southern senators on the eve of the civil war. New York and Washington : The Neale publishing company, 1905. 255 pp. 8°.
Miller, Delavan S. Drum taps in Dixie ; memories of a drummer boy, 1861-1865. Watertown, N. Y. : Hungerford-Holbrook Co., 1905. vii, 256 pp. Plates. Portraits. 120.
Oates William C. The war between the Union and the Confederacy and its lost opportunities, with a history of the 15th Alabama regiment and the forty-eight battles in which it was engaged. New York and Washington : The Neale publishing company, 1905. xxiv, 808 pp. Plates. Portraits. 8°.
Polk, J. M. Memories of the lost cause ; stories and adventures of a Confederate soldier in General R. E. Lee's army, 1861 to 1865 ; and ten years in South America, its resources, trade and commerce, and business intercourse with other countries. Austin, Tex., 1905. 46 pp. Portrait. 8°.
Pryor [Sara Agnes (Rice)] "Mrs. R. A. Pryor." Reminiscences of peace and war. Rev. and enl. ed. New York, London : The Macmillan company, 1905. xviii, 418 pp. Plates. Portraits. Double map. 8°.
Quintard, [Charles Todd]. Doctor Quintard, Chaplain C. S. A. and second bishop of Tennessee; being the story of the war (1861-1865) ed. and extended by the Rev. Arthur Howard Noll. Sewanee, Tenn. : The University press, 1905. (10), 183, (2), vi pp. Portrait. 8°.
Reed, John Calvin. The brothers' war. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1905. xviii, 456, (2) pp. 8°.
Reynolds, John S. Reconstruction in South Carolina, 1865-1877. Co- lumbia, S. C. : The State co., 1905. (2), iii, (2), 522 pp. Frontis- piece. 8°.
Scully, Everett Graham. The story of Robert E. Lee. Portland, Me.: L. H. Nelson company, 1905. 32 pp. Illustrations. 8°.
13
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 194
Sorrel, G. Moxley. Recollections of a Confederate staff officer . . . with introduction by Senator John W. Daniel. New York and Washing- ton: The Neale publishing company, 1905. 315 pp. Frontispiece. 8°.
Toney, Marcus B. The privations of a private. The campaign under General R. E. Lee; the campaign under Gen. Stonewall Jackson; Bragg's invasion of Kentucky ; the Chickamauga campaign ; the Wilder- ness campaign ; prison life in the North ; the privations of a citizen ; the Ku-Klux klan ; a united citizenship. Nashville, Tenn. : Printed for the author, 1905. 133 pp. Illustrations. 8°.
Tucker, Beverley Dandridge. Confederate memorial verses. Norfolk, Va. : Pub. by the Pickett-Buchanan chapter, United daughters of the confederacy, 1904. 36 pp. 8°.
United States. War department. Military secretary's depart- ment. Memorandum relative to the general officers appointed by the President in the armies of the Confederate States, 1861-1865; compiled from official records. Washington, 1905. 41 pp. 8°.
United States. Navy department. Official records of the Union and Confederate navies in the war of the rebellion. Series I, volume 19. West Gulf blockading squadron from July 15, 1862, to March 14, 1863. Washington: Government printing office, 1905. xvii, (1), 958 pp. Frontispiece. 8°. (U. S. 58th Congress, 3d session. House document No. 459-)
Wood, Walter B. and J. E. Edmonds. A history of the civil war in the United States, 1861-5. With an introduction by Spenser Wilkinson. London: Methuen & co., [1905] xxii, 549 pp. Folded maps. Plans. 8".
Wright, [Louise (Wigfall)] "Mrs. D. G. Wright." A Southern girl in '61 ; the war-time memories of a Confederate senator's daughter ; illus- trated from contemporary portraits. New York : Doubleday, Page & company, 1905. xii, 258 pp. Plates. Portraits. 8°.
Wright, Marcus J. ed. Official portfolio of war and nation ; a graphic and pictorial history prepared directly from the government records in the departments of war and statistics . . . accompanied by the complete, superb collection of the Leslie's famous war pictures. . . . Narrative and descriptive by John Clark Ridpath, Rossiter Johnson, General Fitzhugh Lee, General John T. Morgan, George L. Kilmer and General Joseph B. Carr. [Philadelphia, 1904-05] (4), ix-xxvii, 24-584 pp. Illustrations. Frontispiece. F°.
Articles in Periodicals.
Brown, William Garrott. The tenth decade of the United States. iv. Lincoln's policy of mercy, v. Andrew Johnson and "my policy." {In the Atlantic Monthly, vol. 96, Sept., 1905, pp. 359-376; Dec, 1905, pp. 76i-77S.)
Fleming, Walter L. Reorganization of the industrial system in Ala- bama after the civil war.
In The American journal of sociology, vol. 10, Jan., 1905, pp. 473-Soo. Miles, Nelson A. My treatment of Jefferson Davis.
In The Independent, vol. 58, Feb. 23, 1905, pp. 413-417. Parks, Leighton. What a boy saw of the civil war ; with glimpses of General Lee.
In The Century magazine, vol. 70, June, 1905, pp. 258-264. Recollections of Jubal Early. By one who followed him.
In The Century magazine, vol. 70, June, 1905, pp. 311-313. Schouler, James. President Johnson and negro suffrage. In The Outlook, vol. 82, Jan. 13, 1906, pp. 69-73.
195 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
Semmes, Thomas M. A pupil's recollections of "Stonewall" Jackson.
In The Century magazine, vol. 70, Jan., 1905, pp. 178-181. Union and Confederate forces.
In The Nation, vol. 80, Feb. 23, 1905, pp. 149-150.
5. State Aid to Historical Work.
Alabama, Mississippi and West Virginia have Departments of Archives and History, with a director in charge, who is a State official equal in rank to other State officers. In Arkansas a His- torical Commission has been created to formulate some plan for the proper care of the State's historical interests. In Tennessee and Florida bills were introduced at the recent sessions of their Legislatures for the creation of Departments of Archives and History, but they did not become laws. South Carolina has a Historical Commission with a Secretary who receives an annual salary, and devotes his entire time to the work of the Commission. He is chargeable with duties similar to those of the Directors of the Departments of Archives and History above referred to. In Maryland an appropriation of $2,000 annually is made for historical work, which is administered by the Historical Society of the State. Georgia has a Compiler of State Records, who is col- lecting, arranging and publishing the historical materials of the State. Definite information is not at hand as to the method of administration of historical interests in North Carolina, but ex- cellent work has been done in that State. In Kentucky the Con- federate record department is administered through the Adju- tant-General's office. Much valuable work has been done in Virginia toward the preservation of her history by the Virginia Historical Society, and by the State Library. Mr. Robert W. Hunter is Secretary of Confederate Records of Virginia, ap- pointed under act of 1903.
No Departments of Archives and History have been created in Louisiana and Texas, and the committee has no information as to what has been done in Missouri by way of State aid.
Reference is here made to the Reports of the Historical Com- mittee submitted in 1904 and 1905, for further details as to State aid.
6. Students or Workers in Confederate or Southern History.
Personal letters were written to more than fifty known stu- dents or workers in the field of Confederate or Southern history. Condensed information from replies, as well as data obtained in. other directions, show with tolerable fullness what is being done.
It is not to be inferred that the list here given is exhaustive. Neither has the committee been able to report fully all the work engaging the workers whose names are listed. It is proper to mention the following as having at one time done work in our
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 196
field : Mr. Charles H. Ambler, Capt, John Cussons, Mr. T. C. DeLeon, Maj. George R. Fairbanks, Dr. John Porter Hollis, Miss Grace King, Dr. Randolph McKim, Dr. David Y. Thomas, Col. J. Fred Robertson, Mr. A. S. Salley, Jr., Dr. John A. Wyeth, L. S. Boyd, J. L. Warren Woodville, Dr. A. B. Hart, Dr. James Ford Rhodes, Dr. F. W. Moore, Mr. A. C. Quisenberry, John C. Reed, Esq., Dr. J. W. Burgess, Dr. Colyer Meriwether and Dr. John S. Bassett.
Rev. George E. Brewer, of Montgomery, Ala., Captain of Company A, has in preparation a history of the Forty-sixth Ala- bama Infantry Regiment, C. S. A., for a series of narrative his- tories or historical sketches of Alabama Commands in the C. S. A., being compiled by Dr. Thomas M. Owen, Director of the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
William Garrott Brown, New York, has done extensive work in the War and Reconstruction periods, and is a frequent contributor to periodicals and reviews, notably to the Atlantic Monthly. His best known works are a School History of Ala- bama (1902), and the Lower South in American History.
Dr. Robert A. Brock, Richmond, Va., is the editor of the Papers of the Southern Historical Society, an annual volume of great value to the historian of the war.
J. P. Cannon, McKenzie, Tenn., has in preparation a history of the Twenty-seventh Alabama Infantry Regiment, C. S. A., for the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Hon. A. D. Candler, Atlanta, ex-Governor of Georgia, and Compiler of State Records, is also a member of the Commission authorized by the General Assembly of that State, charged with the duty of compiling the records of Georgia troops in the War of Secession.
Gen. James A. Chalaron, New Orleans, the Secretary and Treasurer of the Louisiana Historical Association, and the curator of the Confederate memorial hall, is a vigilant and enthusiastic Veteran and student. He is a frequent contributor to the news- papers.
Prof. Henry E. Chambers, New Orleans, author of a History of the United States in use in many parts of the South, has in preparation a story of the Old South for the children of the New, and also a Sketch of Sibley's expedition to New Mexico.
Dr. J. A. C. Chandler, New York, is the Director of the De- partment of History and Education of the Jamestown Exposition Company. His book, Makers of American History, is a popular work and is in use in many schools.
Judge Walter Clark, Raleigh, N. C, is one of the leading stu- dents and military historians of the South. His pen is constantly engaged, although what particular work he now has on hand is
197 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
not known. His Histories of the Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the "Great War, 1861-65" (I901)> 1S a monumental work in five volumes.
Capt. S. A. Cunningham, Nashville, Tenn., should be included in any list of Confederate historians and students of Confederate history. He has edited and published the Confederate Veteran for nearly fourteen years, during which time he has preserved a wonderful collection of facts, incidents, documents, sketches and illustrations of the war.
W. Watson Davis, Columbia University, New York, has a paper on the "Southern Commercial Conventions" (1837-1860), in vol. v of the Transactions of the Alabama Historical So- ciety, now in press.
William E. Dodd, Professor of History, Randolph-Macon Col- lege, Ashland, Va., has published a Life of Nathaniel Macon (1903). He has in preparation a Life each of R. M. T. Hunter and Jefferson Davis, both of which are promised this year, or early in 1907. He is preparing, in collaboration with Dr. George P. Garrison, Austin, Tex., a History of the United States for schools.
Prof. Dodd, in the preparation of his Life of Mr. Davis, has been very diligent in seeking for manuscripts and original rec- ords concerning his subject. Unfortunately the papers of Mr. Davis have not been kept together, and they appear to be scat- tered in several repositories. Prof. Dodd found himself unable to obtain access to those preserved in the Confederate Memorial Hall at New Orleans, even for so worthy a purpose as the prep- aration of an authentic biography. However, the United States War Department reports that it has already obtained copies of everything in this collection which is of any historical value. Although this claim is put forth by the War Department, the failure to permit the further examination of these papers can hardly be defended. In his report on the subject Prof. Dodd says, concerning other Davis material :
"The Confederate Museum collection (in Richmond) contains some five thousand pieces, chiefly letters to Davis, though some few copies of his own are to be found. It contains also a fine collection of newspaper clippings ; but the papers are not ar- ranged in any sort of order, not even by years; I am the only person who has ever looked through them. There are some thirty Davis letters in the Buchanan papers, in the Pennsylvania Historical Society ; a few in the Pierce papers in Concord, N. H., and I have located some dozen or more in the E. G. Butler family, Berryville, Va. There is a Thomas F. Drayton collection, but I have not found these yet. The greater part of my information about Davis comes from the ante-bellum newspapers of which
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 198
the Mississippian is the best for 1850-60, but during the war the Richmond papers."
John W. DuBose, author of the Life and Times of William Lowndes Yancey (1892), as well as much other work in Southern history, has prepared for the Alabama Department of Archives and History a study in the history of the State, entitled Forty Years of Alabama, 1861-1901. He has also written a Life of Gen. Joseph Wheeler, as well as several sketches of commands for the series of narrative histories or historical sketches of Alabama troops in the C. S. A., in preparation by the Department.
George W. Duncan, Auburn, Ala., has a study in the life of "John A. Campbell, Assistant Secretary of War, C. S. A.," to appear in vol. v of the Transactions of the Alabama Historical Society.
Prof. A. H. Ellett, Blue Mountain, Miss., and Dr. J. William Jones have prepared a High School and College History of the United States, soon to be published by the University Publishing Company, New York. He has in manuscript a history of Mis- sissippi.
Gen. Clement A. Evans, Atlanta, is the editor of the Confed- erate Military History, in twelve volumes. He is the Chairman of the Historical Committee of the United Confederate Veterans, and is constantly striving to build up the historical side of that organ- ization.
Hon. F. P. Fleming, Jacksonville, Fla., has in preparation a history of the Florida troops in the war.
Dr. Walter L. Fleming, Professor of History, University of West Virginia, Morgantown, is a special student In the field of Reconstruction. He has contributed many articles to historical publications, and has edited Lester and Wilson's Ku Klux Klan, His most extensive work, however, is the Civil War and Recon- struction in Alabama (1905). He has in press a two-volume col- lection of Documents Illustrative of the Reconstruction Period, to be published by A. H. Clark Company, Cleveland, O.
Rev. George Fontaine, Shady Grove, Ala., is writing a history of the Thirty-eighth Alabama Infantry Regiment, C. S. A., for the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Judge Reuben R. Gaines, Austin, Tex., will contribute the history of the Third Alabama Cavalry Regiment, C. S. A., to the narrative series of the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Dr. James Wilford Garner, Professor of Political Economy, University of Illinois, Champaign, recently published a History of Reconstruction in Mississippi. What particular Southern work he is now engaged upon is not known.
199 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
Henry S. Halbert, Montgomery, Ala., has compiled separate sketches of the Women of Dallas County, and the Women of Macon County, in the War. They are to be published in the memorial edition of sundry Alabama newspapers, which will be issued, under the direction of Gen. C. Irvine Walker, in behalf of the Women's Memorial. He has also collected materials for a sketch of Calvin Crozier, a Confederate martyr.
Hon. Peter J. Hamilton, Mobile, Ala., is the author of the volume on Reconstruction in the series of volumes entitled, The People of the United States, published by Barrie of Philadelphia. It is to appear in the fall of this year or the early spring of 1907.
Hon. Hilary A. Herbert, Washington, D. C, has promised a history of the Eighth Alabama Infantry Regiment, C. S. A., for the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Col. Herbert was one of the first to contribute to the discussion of Reconstruc- tion, and his Why the Solid South is constantly quoted.
Mr. D. L. Herndon, Auburn, Ala., has a sketch of the "Nash- ville Convention of i860," in the Transactions of the Alabama Historical Society, now in press. He is also interested in the question of secession movements prior to i860.
Rev. Wilson P. Howell, Iron City, Ala., is the author of a history of the Twenty-fifth Alabama Infantry Regiment, C. S. A., to be published by the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Mr. A. L. Hull, Athens, Ga., is a zealous student of Confederate history, and his fine influence is exerted in its promotion among the students of the State University. His volume of Campaigns of the Confederate Army is a valuable short compilation.
Dr. David F. Houston, president of the University of Texas, is the author of a History of Nullification in South Carolina. His present special work is unknown.
Dr. J. William Jones, Richmond, chaplain-general U. C. V., is a forceful and prolific writer. His contributions to the history of the Confederacy are of great value. His School History of the United States is well known. He now has in preparation Memoirs of Jefferson Davis, and a Memoir of Fitzhugh Lee. He has also in preparation, with A. H. Ellett (see infra), a High School and College History of the United States.
Rev. E. W. Jones, Birmingham, Ala., has for some time been running a series of sketches of the Eighteenth Alabama Infantry Regiment, C. S. A., in the Jones Valley Times, a weekly news- paper edited by him. These are to be collected and revised for the Alabama Department of Archives and History.
Mr. Charles Edgeworth Jones, Augusta, Ga., is the historian of the Confederate Survivors Association of Augusta, Ga., and as such prepares each year a report which is published in pamphlet
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 200
form. He is the son of the distinguished Col. Charles C. Jones, whose work in the history of Georgia is so notable.
Gen. Stephen D. Lee, Columbus, Miss., the commander-in-chief of the U. C. V., served for many years, prior to his present pro- motion, as chairman of the U. C. V. historical committee. In this position he did much work for the cause of Confederate his- tory. His special contributions number many articles of value. He is also one of the members of the Vicksburg National Military Park Commission.
Col. William A. Love, Crawford, Miss., is engaged in re- searches in the history of Mississippi soldiers in the War. His present studies are particularly directed to a sketch of Missis- sippi troops at Gettysburg. He is an enthusiastic student and has done much general work in the history of his State.
Dr. W. F. McCaleb, Carizo Springs, Tex., will soon publish a Memoir of John H. Reagan, Post Master General of the Confed- eracy, through the Neale Publishing Co. He has in preparation the Civil War Reminiscences of Judge Reagan.
Dr. Thomas C. McCorvey, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, is not known to be engaged in any special work in the field of Confederate history, but, as Professor of History at the State University, he is aiding and encouraging the general cause of historical work and investigation in every way.
Mr. J. L. Murphy, Auburn, Ala., is the author of a sketch of the "Charleston Convention of i860," to appear in Volume v of the Transactions of the Alabama Historical Society.
Rev. Arthur Howard Noll, Sewanee, Tenn., the author of Doc- tor Quintard, Confederate Chaplain, has in preparation a Life of Gen. Kirby Smith.
The work of Dr. Thomas M. Owen, Montgomery, Ala., has been mentioned generally in the references given to the Depart- ment of Archives and History. He is the editor of the several publications issued and projected by that Department. These embrace a series of Narratives of Alabama commands in the Confederate and State service, a series of Rosters of all Alabama commands in such service, and the Documentary collections of Alabama bearing upon the War, 1861-1865. He is also editor of the Publications of the Alabama Historical Society, in which several historical papers, on Confederate subjects, have appeared. He has in preparation a History of the Thirty-sixth Alabama Regiment, C. S. A., in which command his father, Dr. William M. Owen, was a first lieutenant, for the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Dr. Owen is also the editor of the Ala- bama newspaper supplements to be issued in behalf of the wom- en's memorial, under the direction of Gen. C. I. Walker. In the collection of the materials for the supplement old newspaper files
201 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
have been searched, old letters have been brought to light, and the recollections of elderly women have been obtained. In addition to the foregoing, Dr. Owen enthusiastically responds to all calls for help in the historical field, and students everywhere know that in him they have a sympathetic co-worker. He is the Commander- in-Chief of the Confederation, and has done everything in his power to strengthen it as an historical organization.
Dr. Clarence J. Owens, Abbeville, Ala., has accumulated ma- terials for a Life of the "Gallant" Pelham. It will be a thrilling narrative of the short but brilliant career of this daring boy sol- dier, a native of Alabama.
Dr. George Petrie, Auburn, Ala., the head of the Depart- ment of History in the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, is one of the most inspiring teachers of history in the South. He has developed his department as a valuable coadjutor in the work of the Alabama Historical Society and of the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The work of his students appears in the publications of the Society. He has in preparation a Life of William L. Yancev-
Dr. Ulrich B. Phillips, Madison, Wis., is engaged in a series of special studies involving the economic history of the South. His several contributions in recent periodicals have been directed to the development of special phases of his general subject. His first work, "Georgia and State Rights," published in the Report of the American Historical Association for 1901, is an authori- tative discussion of a most interesting theme. Dr. Phillips is also interested in the proper preservation of public records, and has made reports on Georgia archives, published in the Reports of the same Association.
Dr. Franklin L. Riley, University, Miss., is the editor of the Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society, eight volumes of which have been published. These contain many contributions to the history of the War and Reconstruction. Dr. Riley is the author of a School History of Mississippi, adopted for use in the public schools of the State. He is the secretary of the Mississippi Historical Society and has been a constant stimulus to the development of historical work in his State.
Hon. Dunbar Rowland, Jackson, Miss., is the director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and edits its publications. In the development of his Department, Mr. Row- land is collecting original war records, relics, sketches, etc. He is an enthusiast and loses no opportunity to arouse interest in Confederate history.
Col. Sutton S. Scott, Auburn, Ala., contributed to the Gulf States Historical Magazine, vol. ii, the first authentic ac- count of Confederate Indian affairs. His historical articles
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 202
are numerous and valuable, and are to be found in the current newspaper and periodical press. He has an article on the "Alabama Legislatures of 1857-8 and 1859-60," which will appear in vol. v of the Transactions of the Alabama Historical Society.
Mr. William O. Scroggs, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., a graduate of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, 1899, is collecting material for an exhaustive financial history of Alabama. This work will be as full and thorough as a pains- taking search of original materials will admit. Mr. Scroggs' first work is an interesting article on "Alabama and Territorial Expansion," in the Gulf States Historical Magazine, vol. ii.
Gilbert T. Stephenson, a graduate of Wake Forest College, N. C, and for two years a student in graduate school of Harvard University, has been making a study of the legal status of the negro since the War, and some of the results of his investigations will be published in the next number of the Trans- actions of the American Political Science Association.
Oliver D. Street, Esq., Guntersville, Ala., is secretary of the Tennessee Valley Historical Society, and is the custodian of its collections. He has also brought together a fine private collection. Mr. Street has in preparation a History of Marshall County, Ala., besides other historical work, both of a general and local char- acter.
Gen. E. T. Sykes, Columbus, Miss., is a veteran who has taken an unusual interest in the development of the historical work of the United Confederate Veterans. As Adjutant-General of the Mississippi Division, he edited and published its Proceedings and he has at all times insisted that the historical features of all Confederate organizations be emphasized. Besides articles at various times in the newspaper press, he has compiled a History of Walthall's Brigade, one of the most gallant commands of the great struggle. It is now undergoing final revision, and it will soon be published.
Dr. Stephen B. Weeks, San Carlos, Ariz., has in preparation a Bibliography of the Confederate Press, and also a study of the Effect of the War on Southern Education. Dr. Weeks' literary and historical work covers a wide and scholarly range from Colo- nial times to the present. He is one of the founders of the Southern History Association, and has been one of its publication committee from the first issue of its Publications in 1897. The following items from the personal bibliography of Dr. Weeks indicate a deep interest in the field of Confederate history: Biographical Sketches of the Confederate Dead of the University of North Carolina (1887-91); Slave Insurrection in Virginia, 1831 (1891); Henry Lawson Wyatt, the First Confederate Soldier Killed in Battle (1862); University of North Carolina
203 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
in the Civil War (1896) ; Southern Quakers and Slavery (1896) ; Negro Suffrage in the South (....) and a Bibliography of Con- federate Text-Books (1899).
Michael L. Woods, Montgomery, Ala., Colonel of the Forty- sixth Alabama Infantry Regiment, C. S. A., has for some time been at work on a Life of Gen. Leroy Pope Walker, first Confederate Secretary of War. It will undoubtedly be a wel- come addition to our literature of the great actors of the struggle.
Gen. Marcus J. Wright, Washington, D. C, for twenty-five years the agent for the collection of Confederate documents, under the direction of the United States War Department, is preparing accounts of the battles of Shiloh and Belmont.
7. Historical Work by Organizations of Veterans, Sons of Veteran's Daughters of the Confederacy, Ladies Memorial Associations and Children of the Confederacy.
Information your committee has in hand indicates that there is generally among the camps of Veterans and Sons of Veterans no systematic work in the historical field. There are, however, many camps, both of Veterans and of Sons, which are doing good work in the study of history, by encouraging the collection of historical material and by the preparation of articles on special topics bearing upon the War period. Most of the historical work of the Veterans and Sons of Veterans is carried on through the historical committees of these organizations. The chapters of the Daughters of the Confederacy are more active and are doing better historical work. They give prizes in many parts of the country to students in departments of history, in colleges and universities, for the preparation of articles on historical subjects. In their chapter meetings they often have good papers prepared, and lectures delivered on topics connected with the history of the Confederacy. In some instances, as in Alabama, they have a page once a week in a leading daily newspaper, in which they print many valuable articles in the form of reminiscences, diaries, etc. The special work of the Sons so far as ascertained is now pre- sented under the head of Division Reports.
8. Division Reports.
Reports will now be given from the several Divisions of the Confederation, showing, as far as possible, the historical activities which engage them. The details given have been obtained from the sources indicated. Although most persistent effort has been put forth by the chairman, he has wholly failed to obtain infor- mation relative to historical work by the Sons as such in the Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indian Territory, Missouri and North Carolina Divisions, although there can be no doubt
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 204
that many of their camps and patriotic Sons are doing valuable work. It is to be observed that much of the data given below is wanting in definiteness, but it is given as a basis for future investigation.
Alabama.
Historical work may, in a general way, be said to be in a satisfactory condition in the State of Alabama.
An examination of the list of students of Southern and Con- federate history printed in this report shows that more than twenty students from Alabama are now engaged in studying and writing on some phase of history connected with the State and the Confederacy.
There is a growth in the better and more systematic teaching of this period of history in the schools, colleges and universities of the State, as shown in section two of this report.
The Alabama Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy, is doing much to collect and preserve the sources of our history and to encourage a careful study of it. Many of the chapters give handsome prizes to students in the schools and colleges for the preparation of articles on State and Confederate history. As a result of this encouragement, a number of valuable articles have been prepared and published. The Division has a page each week in the Montgomery Advertiser, one of the leading papers of the State and South, edited by Mrs. Harvey E. Jones, of Mobile, in which reminiscences and diaries of the Civil War and Reconstruction are published, as well as other articles prepared from original material. Files of the papers are kept in the State Department of Archives and History, and the material thus collected is preserved.
The camps of Veterans are not as active in this work as they should be, but they are active in stimulating public opinion as to the importance and value of the work. Camp Holtzclaw, United Sons of Confederate Veterans at Montgomery, has adopt- ed a regular course of study with the use of a text-book on the history of the war, and has regular meetings at which papers are read and discussions are held by the members of the camp and addresses are made by Veterans on topics connected with some incident of the war. It is hoped that the admirable example of Camp Holtzclaw will be followed by all the camps of Sons and Veterans in the State.
There is general activity and enthusiasm in the collection and preservation of the sources of our history and in writing and studying it. A number of public libraries in the State have adopted a plan of setting apart an alcove for the collection of books, pamphlets and documents on State and Southern history.
205 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
Florida.
Col. Fred L. Robertson, Tallahassee, March 30, 1906 :
Yours of the 27th to hand. Florida has no Department of Archives and History. A bill was introduced at the last ses- sion, which in effect turned over to the Florida Historical Society, an organization with its headquarters in Jacksonville, everything pertaining to this Department. The bill was unsatisfactory in every particular. It originated with the Historical Society, but developed so much unpopularity that it was left to sleep in the committee; and another bill, a copy of which I enclose, was introduced. The friends of the Historical Society succeeded in delaying consideration of it until it was too late for any action. The establishment of a Department of Archives and History was strongly urged by the Florida Division of United Confederate Veterans, at their last two annual meetings, and the matter will again be brought to the attention of the next Legislature. If you can offer any suggestion that will tend to further the success of this most desirable undertaking, the Veterans of Florida will be under many obligations to you.
Georgia.
Ex-Gov. Allen D. Candler, Compiler of State Records, Atlanta,
March 29, 1906:
In reply to your inquiry of the 27th, I beg to say that Georgia has no Department of Archives and History, but instead thereof a Compiler of State Records appointed by the Governor under authority of an act of the legislature of 1902. The duties of this officer are to gather up and compile for publication the Colonial, Revolutionary and Confederate Records of Georgia. The amount appropriated has been to date about $9,000 a year aside from the cost of printing, the printing being done by the State printer and paid for out of the printing fund. The Colonial Records have been preserved in London and are almost entirely complete from the foundation of the colony up to the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and we have received transcripts of almost all of these records, and those not already transcribed and forwarded to us are being copied and sent to us in regular semi- monthly installments, and it is hoped all will have been received within two or three months.
The records of the Revolutionary period are scattered and imperfect, though a sufficient number have been found to make a very interesting history of that period of our State. These records, so far as it has been possible to obtain them, are almost entirely complete.
The Confederate records are almost entirely complete and erood progress has been made in their compilation. It is believed
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 206
that the entire work, containing, exclusive of Confederate muster rolls, about twenty-five octavo volumes, can be completed in eighteen months or two years more. Only two volumes, one and two, have been printed and offered to the public. Two more, three and four, will be ready for delivery in a few months. The remaining volumes, most of which are ready for the printer, have not been put in his hands because the legislature appropriated only a sufficient amount to print two volumes per year.
No provision has thus far been made in the legislature to estab- lish permanently a Department of Archives and History.
Kentucky.
Ed. Porter Thompson, Compiler of Confederate Records, Frank- fort, Ky., April 2, 1906:
In your letter of the 27th you ask me what this State has done toward maintaining a Department of Archives and History, as relates to the Southern States. We have a department known as the Confederate Record Department — a department of the Adjutant-General's office — provided for by the legislature of 1902. This act provides that the Adjutant-General shall gather what data he can in regard to the soldiers who served in the Confederate Army, Spanish-American War, etc., and compile same in suitable form for sale and preservation in the State Library and the Adjutant-General's office. It provides that the Adjutant-General shall employ such assistants as he may deem necessary in the carrying out of this work, together with a chief clerk who shall be known as the Compiler of Records. There is no special appropriation, the money to be paid out of the general expense fund of the State. The Governor and Adjutant-General appointed me to fill the position of Compiler of Records and I have succeeded in gathering a vast amount of data for this work. I cannot say, however, how long it will take to complete this work.
Further, you ask what the State has done toward caring for aged and disabled Confederate soldiers, and their wives. We have a Confederate Home, situated at Pewee Valley, Ky., which is kept up by the State. It is a beautiful home and has been crowded ever since it was opened, now about four years. The Legislature of 1904 made an additional appropriation for the home, and more rooms were added, and other improvements made for the care of those who were sick.
Our State has a uniform text-book law, and the history used in this State in the graded and common schools is of a very inferior class — making little mention of the War between the States.
You ask me in a former letter what appropriations our State has made from time to time towards the maintenance of old sol-
207 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
diers and their wives. I can find no information in regard to this except in regard to the Confederate Home.
Louisiana.
W. H. McLellan, New Orleans, March 10, 1906 :
There has been practically nothing done in this State by the Sons' historical committee during the past year, as you are no doubt aware that our committee was appointed very late in the past year, and that, coupled with conditions existing from our yellow fever troubles of last summer, we have been badly handi- capped. However, following along the outlines desired by you for your report, as per Circular No. 4, would say:
Louisiana has a history which was compiled several years ago under the instructions of the State Legislature by a Louisianian and this history is in use in very nearly all of the public schools. The author of this history is Prof. Henry E. Chambers of this city. A detailed report of the cause which led to the adoption of this history and text-books used previously to that time by our public schools was made several years ago by the writer to Mr. Armistead Collier, of Memphis, I think, when he was chairman of the U. S. C. V.'s Historical Committee.
The State has made no appropriation for the collection or main- tenance of Civil War records and the little work that is being accomplished by the Louisiana Division, is through personal con- tributions in the shape of reminiscences from the Veterans. These records are being compiled by the various associations, and it is hoped at some future date to whip them into proper shape so that they will prove valuable as records. I regret that I cannot give a more encouraging account of this end of the work and sin- cerely trust that others of this committee have been able to accomplish more than I.
Maryland.
J. Pierce Bruns, Baltimore, 1906 :
The State aid for historical work in Maryland consists only of an appropriation of some $2,000 a year to the Maryland His- torical Society for publishing the Archives of Maryland, and some small appropriations which have been made to the Public Record Commission, which has now nearly completed its report covering every public record of the State of Maryland. Both these Commissions have done admirable work with the small means at their command. The public school histories used in Maryland, as far as I can learn, are Morris' Elementary History, Passano's History of Maryland, and Montgomery's, Eggleston's, McMaster's, Butler's and Barnes'. I think it can be said of all these histories that while, with the exception of Passano's, they are written from a Northern standpoint, they are quite, I might
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 208
say almost nervously, fair toward the South. This satisfactory condition is largely due to the efforts of the Maryland Division of the United Confederate Veterans. The course in history at the Johns Hopkins University is a lecture course in the nature of an "original source" course. It is hardly necessary to say that the lecturer being Mr. Bernard Steiner, it is unexceptionally fair toward the South.
I may add that in my opinion, and in the opinion of the learned gentleman above mentioned, it is not always an unmixed evil to have text-books, except the most elementary, written from a point of view somewhat different from that of the learner, as this usually stimulates him to investigate the matter for himself.
Mississippi.
Hon. Dunbar Rowland, Director of the Department of Archives
and History, Jackson, 1906 :
Since the establishment of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, in 1902, an active campaign for the col- lection and preservation of Confederate historical material has been carried on by the Department.
The influence of the Mississippi Division, U. S. C. V., was enthusiastically given in the preliminary agitation, which resulted in State recognition of historical work. The collections of the Department relating to the Confederate military history of Mis- sissippi are made up of materials of the most extensive character, consisting of original muster and pay rolls, military order books, diaries of soldiers, correspondence, swords, guns, uniforms and battle-flags, and in addition, many historical manuscripts.
It has been the policy of the Mississippi Sons of Veterans, since the State has provided for the collection of historical mate- rials, to urge the establishment of a Soldiers' Home, and an in- crease in Confederate pensions ; these efforts, as has been noted in past reports, have resulted in the purchase of Beauvoir by the Sons. The Home is supported and sustained by appropriations from the State; and about seventy destitute Confederate soldiers are being cared for within its historic walls. Much has been done in Mississippi to make the Confederate soldier happy and comfortable in his declining years, and during the past four years there has been a decided increase in the appropriation for Confederate pensions.
Oklahoma.
Ernest T. Bynum, Professor in the State University, Norman, April 20, 1906 :
I regret to have so meager a report from this field. Our Terri- tory was not in existence during the war, and so played no part in that great struggle. The sentiment in Oklahoma is not pre-
209 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
dominantly Southern by any means, a condition, however, which may change with impending statehood which unites Oklahoma and Indian Territory into one state. I regret also to report an appar- ently greater indifference on the part of our Southern people out here in the matter of historical incidents and data connected with the Civil War than is true in the older Southern States. As far as I have been able to ascertain, there have been no special studies along such lines by any of our citizens here, and nothing of such a nature has appeared in print.
The heads of our principal educational institutions are without exception from the North, and the same is true of the great majority of faculty members. The attitude of the school authori- ties is — so far as I know — charitable and indulgent towards South- ern sentiment, and no text-book especially offensive to Southern people would likely be adopted over their protests. McMaster's and Channing's histories are used in the high schools generally, and Adams' and Trent's in the University. In the grades Barnes' seems to the one most in use.
South Carolina.
Dr. P. H. Mell, President Clemson College, S. C, March 9, 1906 : The circulars sent out by you, relating to the historical work of our committee, reached me some days ago, and I have sent them to a number of the leading papers of South Carolina with the hope that they may be published and perhaps parties inter- ested in this work of the committee may send me the information sought for.
I shall be glad to help you in making out a suitable report to be submitted to the Sons of United Confederate Veterans this coming session. I am glad to know that you are taking such an active part in getting together the data needed for this report. If we can keep sacred the history of our fathers in the struggle from 1861-65, we shall have done a great deal for the benefit of the country and given good reasons for the existence of this organization.
A. S. Salley, Jr., Secretary Historical Commission of South
Carolina, Columbia, March 30, 1906 :
Replying to your letter of the 27th inst, I beg to say that while our department hasn't the name you ascribe, yet our field is the same as the departments of Archives and History in other States. This State possesses tons of undigested records and our work is to shape them. We are gathering records that pertain to this State wherever we can secure them. We have no appropriation, however, with which to purchase records that are offered for sale. For the past two years our appropriation has been $2,500
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 210
each year for metal shelving, $100 last year for contingent fund, $1,000 for my salary. This year our contingent fund has been raised to $200 and my salary to $1,350, and we have been given $150 with which to print the first volume of records issued under the direction of this Commission.
Tennessee.
John H. DeWitt, Nashville, April 20, 1906:
1. The text-book used by the public schools of Tennessee under contract of the State Text-Book Commission, is Lee's History of the United States. The histories of Tennessee in use are Garrett's, Goodpasture's and McGhee's. All of these histories are written from the Southern viewpoint, are fair and do full justice to Southern history.
2. In the best universities of the country, as I am informed, there is taught a thorough course in political and constitutional history of the United States, including the history of the war and reconstruction. This course is offered in Vanderbilt Uni- versity, and probably in the University of Nashville and Univer- sity of Tennessee in this State. The attempt is made to be very fair and impartial and to show fully, among other things, the contention made by the Southern people. A great number of text-books, histories and reference books are used.
3. In this State a considerable number of books on war and reconstruction have been published. Notable among these are Lindsley's Military Annals of Tennessee (regimental histories and memorial rolls), a volume on Tennessee in the series of Confed- erate military history, prepared by ex-Governor James D. Porter ; also a number of individual military regimental histories and books of reminiscences by Confederate soldiers. Among the lat- ter are History of the Twentieth Tennessee Regiment, by Dr. W. J. McMurray; History of the Sixteenth Tennessee and Allied Regiments, by Capt. Head; and a book of reminiscences just being issued by Capt. B. L. Ridley. In this list should also be included Dr. John A. Wyeths' monumental Life of Gen. Forrest. There are also some works of fiction relating to reconstruction days, notably In the Wake of War, by V. S. Pease, which affords a very interesting insight into reconstruction in Tennessee. The acts and journals of our reconstruction legislatures are also valu- able sources from which to draw information for writing history of that era.
4. I am unable to give you any list of manuscripts or material relating to the war and reconstruction in this State, but I take pleasure in saying that the Tennessee Historical Society is making a very earnest effort to collect all of such material in existence.
211 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
Our State Archivist, Mr. R. T. Quarles, advises me that he had found quite a number of manuscripts, being mostly muster rolls and other official documents, in the State records.
5. Bob Taylors Magazine, published at Nashville, has con- tained some interesting war sketches. Far above all publications in the whole country, however, the Confederate Veteran, Nash- ville, Capt. S. A. Cunningham, editor, has for thirteen years collected and published reminiscences, historical narratives, por- traits and other material of priceless value, relating to war and reconstruction. The usefulness of this publication will be felt by our people as long as they have a spark of reverence for that era and for the heroism of our fathers.
6. The aid given by the State in the maintenance of a Depart- ment of Archives and History is as yet rather meagre. However, ten years ago by an appropriation of about $2,500 per year, the Legislature established a chair of American history in the Peabody College in the University of Nashville, and the lamented Capt. W. R. Garrett, a gallant Confederate veteran and profound his- torian, was at the head of this department until his death. The valuable work of this school has been continued by his successor and is creating a greater interest in American history and love for history of our State year by year. A few years ago the Legislature began to make some appropriations for the collection, assortment and preservation of the archives by setting apart a separate place in the capitol building and appropriating a small sum of money. This work has been well carried on and is now being continued by Mr. Robert T. Quarles, above referred to, upon the meagre salary of $1,000 per year.
7. In Vanderbilt University, LTniversity of Nashville, and University of Tennessee, the advanced students have for years been doing considerable original or special work in Southern his- tory. Some years ago a valuable fruit of this work was the pub- lication of a thesis by Mr. J. W. Fertig on The Secession and Reconstruction of Tennessee, presented for a Doctor's degree at the University of Chicago.
8. The various Confederate organizations are doing something in the line of historical work or study, but I think that the most substantial part of it is being done by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The Veterans are devoting their energies to meetings of their organizations and the aid of their needy com- rades. The Sons of Veterans, unfortunately, are doing very little historical work. However, I believe that individually the Sons of Veterans are reading carefully and appreciatively a great deal of the best literature which shows justly and adequately the history of the war and reconstruction era.
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Texas.
Homer D. Wade, Waco, March 28, 1906 :
Reporting as to the historical conditions in this State, I beg to say that there is not an organized effort towards the collection of data, which will preserve and perpetuate the names and heroism of the heroes of the Confederate army, as well as for the great cause for which they fought. I am happy to state, however, that for the past few years there has been a great revival in the feeling for the necessity of proper school histories as well as correct Southern literature. The intensity with which the leaders in this movement are working will, in the course of a few years, cause all the incorrect histories to be eliminated from our schools and will, in my judgment, cause an organization of the forces in the State that will result in the proper presentation of our cause to the present generation and to posterity. Attempts were made at the past Legislature to create a State Department of History and Archives. However, on account of a depleted treas- ury, it was decided not to present the matter. Sentiment, how- ever, is being so thoroughly crystallized that it will be a matter of only a short time when a Department of this kind will be organ- ized. I regret to report that the Sons of Veterans are somewhat lacking in enthusiasm, but the Daughters of the Confederacy are thoroughly organized in this State and are doing much to correct the present conditions with reference to the correction of the historical information published heretofore.
In my mind the most important work of our organization is to lend every energy to the collection of proper material for the present and future Southern historians and have it correlated in such a manner that it can be used. This can be done by the co- operation of the Daughters of the Confederacy and the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and I beg to recommend to you and hope to have you include it in your report that the joint committee from the United Sons of Confederate Veterans and United Daughters of the Confederacy be appointed and that this joint committee undertake the work of organizing forces looking to that end.
Virginia.
R. S. Blackburn Smith, Berryville, Va., 1906:
There was a general citizens' and soldiers' meeting held in Richmond Oct. 17, 1897, having as its chief purpose the elimina- tion of untruthful histories from the schools of Virginia. This was the first organized movement in Virginia for fair and im- partial histories, and a standing committee was appointed to effectuate the purposes of the meeting. This committee was later supplanted by the Confederate History Committee of the
213 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
Grand Camp of Confederate Veterans of Virginia, which was composed in part of Veterans and in part of Sons of Veterans.
Under the leadership of the late Dr. Hunter McGuire and Judge George L. Christian, both of Richmond, Va., this latter committee has waged a successful campaign against the literary criminals who were, for the sake of gain, trying to poison the minds of Southern youth with false narratives of the causes, conduct and purposes of the war. The reports filed by these two gentlemen, as chairmen, have been fitly described as un- answerable briefs on the historical subjects with which they deal. Some time has elapsed since they were printed and scat- tered broadcast through the land, and as yet no consequential attempt has been made to answer them. It is fair, then, to presume they are unanswerable. They establish, among other things, the following facts :
1. The South did not go to war to maintain or to perpetuate the institution of slavery.
2. The Right of Secession (the real issue of the war) was first asserted at the North, and as clearly recognized there as at the South.
3. That the North and not the South was the aggressor in bringing on the war.
4. That, on the part of the South, the war was conducted according to the principles of civilized warfare, while on the part of the North it was conducted in the most inhuman and bar- barous manner.
In the continuance of their work, the History Committee of Veterans and Sons of Veterans has secured the co-operation of the State Board ct Education, upon which the law now lays the heavv responsibility of selecting text-books for use in the public schools of the State. This Board of Education has given the school children by far the best list of histories they have ever had, and no matter how much we may differ with them in some of the conclusions they have reached, we must affirm that the Board is composed of "good men and true," who have performed their duties faithfully and well.
By their direction, the following list of histories is prescribed for use in the public schools, all eligible histories are published in this list, and the local school authorities of each county select from "the list of eligibles" such histories as they deem best for use in the schools of each county, respectively:
History of Virginia — For primary and lower grammar grades : Magill's Stories from Virginia History, Chandler's Makers of Virginia History. For grammar grades : Magill's History of Virginia, Smithey's History of Virginia, Maury's History of Virginia.
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 214
American History — Primary grades: Lee's New Primary U. S. History, Montgomery's Beginner's American History, Estill's Beginner's History of Our Country, Chandler & Chitwood's Makers of American History.
American History — Grammar grades : Lee's New School His- tory, Jones' School History, Bruce's School History, White's School History.
West Virginia.
E. Fontaine Broun, Esq., Charleston, W. Va., 1906 :
The Legislature of West Virginia, at its session in 1905, passed an act providing for the establishment of a State Department of Archives and History, and declared the same to be a de- partment of the State government.
The act declares that therein shall be collected for permanent preservation, so far as it can now be done, all valuable papers and documents relating to the settlement of the State, its progress and development, its soldiery, and all wars, including those of the Indians, Revolutionary, Second War with England, and Mexican War, the War between the States and the Spanish- American War, together with data relating to the formation of West Virginia, and biographical material pertaining to the men who helped to make history therein.
In this Department are being gathered, therefore, all missing public records, State papers, military rolls, documents of the Legislature, executive and judicial documents, and the reports of all State officials, Boards of Regents and Directors of State institutions — educational, charitable and otherwise. The act fur- ther requires that the entire collection shall be classified according to a systematic plan for the preservation of all State archives, civil, military, of the past, present and future.
Herein, too, are collected books, pamphlets, papers and other works of history, biography and kindred subjects such as are usually found in a miscellaneous and historical library; together with the works of West Virginia authors and such others as will probably illustrate the biography of the State.
In connection with these collections, there is a museum, illus- trative of history, science, social conditions and life of the people of our whole country, past and present.
Under the present law each of the fifty-five counties in West Virginia has a School Book Board, composed of the County superintendent and eight other men of the county appointed by the county court. This Board adopts text-books for the use in each county, for five years, and makes contracts therefor. These contracts for the next five years have all just been made prior to the 1st of April, 1906. Fifty out of the fifty-five counties in West Virginia use either Montgomery's History of
215 REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
the United States, published by Ginn & Co., or Barnes' History of the United States, published by the American Book Co.
The cities of Wheeling, Charleston, Parkersburg, Huntington, Fairmont and other cities in West Virginia have the power to adopt and use such text-books in the public schools as each city decides upon.
The West Virginia Historical and Antiquarian Society was chartered about 1890. From 1890 to 1905 the friends of the Societ) gave to it very many valuable books, papers, pamphlets, relics and curios appertaining to the original settlement of the country. The original formers of this Society were representa- tive men in the different vocations of life, irrespective of politics, who gave their services without any pay, and contributed both time and money to the Society, as well as books, papers, relics, etc.
The late Dr. J. P. Hale became greatly interested in the West Virginia Historical and Antiquarian Society, and devoted the last years of his life to its management. Prominent among the mem- bers of this Society were Southern men and Confederate officers and Veterans of the Civil War who gave special attention to the history of everything pertaining to the Confederate side of the Civil War.
In 1901 the Society began the publication of the West Vir- ginia Historical Magazine, quarterly, and continued the publi- cation of same through the years 1901, 1902, 1903 and 1904, and January and April, 1905, at which time it had to suspend. Prior to this time the Society received about $1,200 a year from the State of West Virginia, but when the Legislature organized a Department of Archives and History, it stopped the appropriation it had formerly given to the West Virginia Historical and An- tiquarian Society, and this left it without funds, and hence it had to suspend the publication of its Magazine.
Dr. J. P. Hale published the Trans- Allegheny Pioneers. Virgil A. Lewis published the Southern Magazine for a short time, and then published the History of West Virginia.
All military records are collected without reference to where West Virginians filled the ranks of brave regiments.
This Department is under the management and control of the Board of Public Works. It occupies nearly 9,000 square feet of floor, on the third floor of the new Capitol Annex building. The State supplies janitors, pays for all of the printing of the documents, and appropriates $2,000 each for the last and present year.
The Department is in charge of a person appointed by the Governor, who is known as the State Historian and Archivist. Hon. Virgil A. Lewis fills this position. He is required to make
UNITED SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS. 216
annually a report to the Governor, to be by him transmitted to the Legislature. This report must contain an exhibit of all the State's papers, civil and military public documents.
The Department may be regarded as a safe depository for all records and documents worthy of preservation, and it solicits do- nations of these, not only from West Virginia, but from societies and military and other organizations of all States of the Union.
Conclusion.
No one realizes more fully than the chairman of the committee the imperfect and fragmentary nature of a report of this kind when judged by the standards of critical historical work.
The short time allowed for doing the work and the lack of means and facilities for making the investigations necessary to obtain information for a complete and accurate report are largely responsible for these deficiencies.
The chairman wishes to express his sincere appreciation to his associates on the committee for co-operation as shown in their separate reports for their respective divisions given in this report, and to other persons too numerous to mention here for supplying information and rendering him assistance in other forms. He wishes to acknowledge his special obligations to the Commander- in-Chief, Dr. Thomas M. Owen, for constant encouragement, co-operation and for most efficient assistance in planning and preparing the report.
George W. Duncan,
Auburn, Ala., April 25, 1906. Chairman.